Lynn Calder, executive director for Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario, displays on Friday, July 5, 2013, a map of Patterson Park in West Windsor that will have modifications made to make the park accessible. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Coun. Ron Jones announced Friday he plans to spend a large portion of $1 million in ward funds allocated in the city’s budget toward major upgrades at Patterson Park and to install handicap curb cuts on eight residential streets on the west end.

“This is going to mean something not only for those on the west end, but those who want to visit the west end,” Jones said. “They will have more accessibility and safety.”

There will be $200,000 spent on the park at Sandwich and Detroit streets that will see the addition of a three-metre wide walking path, new lights, several curb cuts leading into the park and a large picnic area with several tables.

The Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee will contribute $40,000 toward the park upgrades. The main office of Assisted Living Southwestern Ontario is nearby and its 100 disabled clients will benefit from the improvements.

“This will have such a positive impact on people with disabilities,” said Gayle Jones, diversity and accessibility officer for the city. “Kudos on an absolutely wonderful idea.”

Another $100,000 of the ward fund will be spent installing curb cuts on eight key street corners throughout the west end to increase accessibility for those in wheelchairs or who suffer limited mobility.

All the construction work is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Jones credited MP Brian Masse (NDP — Windsor West) for encouraging him to “think outside the box” when it came to deciding where the ward funds should be spent. The money must be allocated toward capital projects.

Windsor city councillor Ron Jones announces on Friday, July 5, 2013, plans to make Patterson Park fully accessible and improve a number of curb cuts in the ward, making them accessible. (JASON KRYK/The Windsor Star)

Assisted Living executive director Lynn Calder said aging sidewalks and roads in the historic community pose a special problem for the disabled.

“We are very happy to be part of the community, but it is still difficult to get around,” she said. “Many of the sidewalks are uneven, curb cuts are lacking, but (Jones) is taking care of some of that.

“It’s an older area of town, so it is a larger challenge, but you are definitely going to see an impact with this.”

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